Today, the Three Provinces and Six Ministries, apart from Han Mo, only had two senior ministers of the Cabinet.
They were trusted by the Emperor, smiling while drinking, obviously already aware of today's events.
However, one person caught Li Yan's attention.
It was Grandmaster Huo Yin, seemingly casually seated and drinking, yet his presence was as profound as an abyss, secretly monitoring all directions.
Li Yan had long taken notice of him.
Earlier, when the Emperor took the stage, Huo Yin was even more vigilant, as Military Departnt commander Jiao Wanbao, Luo Mingzi, and his trusted Taoists disguised themselves as dignitaries, rchants, and even Academy Servants, mingling among various ceremonial formations.
It seems this celebration had already been laid with a trap by Zhao Qingxu.
But until the Emperor departed, Zhao Qingxu did not appear.
Li Yan was indeed sowhat curious.
Zhao Qingxu had probably long known about the existence of the steam engine, and thus did not hesitate to betray Kong Hui, abandon the layout in the Capital, and sche for the steam engine, but that thing was extrely cumberso, requiring five or six oxen to pull.
He truly couldn't fathom how Zhao Qingxu would steal such an object...
After three rounds of drinks and five courses of dishes, the real "main event" unfolded amidst the clinking of cups and exchanging of drinks.
Yan Jiuling promptly rose to formally introduce the "teachers" and the first batch of "tribute" of the Qiankun Academy, ntioning that the academy would select the first batch of students based on the "Observing Things" with strictly limited quotas.
As soon as these words were spoken, it was like a huge stone thrown into a calm lake, and the people of the Sea Opening Sect imdiately stood up.
"Mr. Yan! The Haitong Chamber of Comrce is willing to offer fifty thousand taels of silver to help establish the Academy's 'Sea Transport Academy'! We only ask for three... no, two recomnded student spots!"
A prominent rchant from Min Province stood up first, his booming voice drawing the attention of the entire hall.
"Fifty thousand taels? The ship gang in Quanzhou offers sixty thousand, along with a hundred superior pine logs from Suzhou and Hangzhou for building ship models for testing! We also only want two spots!" Another rchant dressed in finery imdiately raised the stakes.
At this point, everyone could clearly see the importance of the academy; naturally, local dignitaries wouldn't want to be left behind.
"Humph, can the filthy stench of money ascend the grand hall?"
A gray-haired marquis in the front row coldly snorted, stroked his beard, and said, "My grandnephew, with a rich family tradition, possesses talent in the studies of minerals and geography, fit to be the cornerstone of the academy. This matter, I hope the Director and Chief of Staff Han can accommodate."
Another earl chid in: "Indeed, the academy is a legacy of millennia, it should focus on nurturing the pillars of talent. My son has been fascinated by firearms blueprints since childhood and wishes to apprentice under Lord Yuan Feng!"
Originally, they opposed the establishnt of the academy because officials promoted from it would compete with the quota for the imperial examination, but now they've realized the academy touches fundantal interests, and since the decision is set in stone, naturally, they wanted to involve themselves.
For a ti, the hall was extrely lively.
The round-faced, full-bearded Wala envoy watched the scramble in the seats with a cold eye throughout, and only when Yuan Feng ntioned "firearms improvent" did a barely noticeable sharp gleam flash in his eyes, quickly replaced by a polite fake smile.
So envoys sneaked peeks outside, only to find the prototype of the steam engine had been transported away at so unknown ti.
Yan Jiuling maintained his official, socializing smile, neither overly welcoming nor entirely dismissive, smoothing over these "requests" with deft words: "Your heartfelt intentions, the academy deeply appreciates!"
"However, matters of quotas and recomndations must follow the evaluation procedures of 'Observing Things,' with all affairs awaiting the headmaster's arrival, by joint determination of the Ministry of Rites and the Academy."
"Enjoy the grand banquet today, academic matters shall be discussed later..."
Li Yan saw everything unfold before him.
Watching the adept Yan Jiuling, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
The Capital truly can change people.
The once honest and blunt Yan Jiuling, in a short ti, had beco a seasoned veteran.
Two hours later, the noisy banquet finally ca to an end.
Various factions departed with feelings of either satisfaction or disappointnt.
The president of the Jinzhou Chamber of Comrce held Li Yan by the door, whispering: "Young Hero Li, regarding the construction of the Five Dao General Temple, we've invited a renowned geomancy master to select auspicious locations along the route, and it will soon begin. What do you think...?"
This was clearly a hint to fulfill a promise, to secure opportunities for their own children.
Li Yan nodded slightly, "I'll try."
The lively state of the academy today left him uncertain.
Such significant interests would inevitably be more wolves than at by then, he could only take things one step at a ti.
After everyone left, Li Yan finally stepped forward, smiling and cupping his hands, "Lord Yuan."
"Hahaha..."
Yuan Feng was in good spirits, his face already flushed from drink, grabbing his hand, "Today's success is all thanks to Young Brother Li, rest assured, my Mo Sect won't forget."
"Senior is joking, I was rely daydreaming."
Li Yan chuckled silently, then his face grew serious, "But I have a question, that Divine Artifact is of great importance, there were still many barbarians here today, it's fine for them to see it, but why was the thod of its application disclosed?"
Yuan Feng hesitated for a mont, looked around, then whispered:
"Follow , and you'll understand once you see it..."
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